The Falcons are signing veteran quarterback Andy Dalton and releasing Cooper Rush in a corresponding move. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Dalton signing. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Rush's release. No outlet has given contract terms.

CBS Sports noted that Dalton is joining Atlanta only 10 days after Philadelphia released him. NFL Trade Rumors reported that he had numerous interested teams after leaving the Eagles. That included a possible return to Philadelphia after quarterback Jalen Hurts had a blood clot issue. Our data shows Dalton appeared in one game for the Eagles this season. He went 0 for 1 as a passer. Yahoo Sports framed the move as the Falcons adding "veteran competition for their backup quarterback job." That is Yahoo's wording only. None of the other reporting we have says where Dalton or Rush sits on the depth chart.

Rush's numbers this season are modest. He played in two games for Atlanta, completing 22 of 39 passes (56.4%) for 229 yards, 5.9 yards per attempt. The reporting gives no reason for cutting him, so we won't guess at one.

The club around the quarterbacks is struggling. Atlanta is 2-4, second in the NFC South, and has lost two straight. It lost 30-23 to Baltimore on Oct. 11, and then lost 31-23 at home to Chicago on Sunday. In that game the Falcons went 3 for 12 on third down and 0 for 3 on fourth down. They lost three fumbles and were sacked five times. Chicago held the ball for more than 40 minutes. The Falcons' last win was a 45-24 victory at New Orleans on Oct. 5. Our box score for the Chicago game lists no passing line for Rush.

The Falcons host San Francisco on Sunday, Oct. 25. That gives Dalton less than a week to get into the team's plans. The open question is where he sits on the depth chart once he's on the roster. The reporting we have doesn't answer it.